What Happened to Kathy Griffin after Her Failed Eye Surgery – Her Transformation

• Kathy Griffin is a sharp-witted comedian who has earned multiple Emmy Awards.
• But beyond her professional success, her resilience also shone through as the actress and comedian has dealt with personal losses and a medical procedure gone wrong.
• Her transformation since then has also not gone unnoticed by fans.

Kathy Griffin has never avoided the spotlight, making a name for herself on the Hollywood scene. However, some might be surprised to learn about the challenges and achievements the actress has faced and experienced throughout her life.

From breaking records to losing her mother and sister to cancer and medical procedures that have caused concern amongst fans and others that have left her partially blind in one eye, these are just some of the events that have shaped the woman we know and love today.

From Chicago Suburbs to Hollywood Stardom

Kathy was born on November 4, 1960, in Oak Park, Illinois. She is the youngest of five children and grew up in a lively household. Her father was a stereo store manager and her mother was a hospital administrator.

At 18, Kathy moved to Los Angeles with her retired parents. She went there to break into the entertainment industry. Los Angeles was the perfect backdrop for Kathy. It let her immerse herself in the lively world of stand-up comedy.

She quickly found her niche. She performed at many comedy clubs and then started "Hot Cup O' Talk" with friends Margaret Cho and Janeane Garofalo. This weekly comedy night at the Groundlings' theater became a popular event, featuring a rotating cast of comedians who shared their humorous experiences and industry insights.

Kathy's stand-up success paved the way for her foray into acting. She got a guest role on the popular sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." There, she showed her comedy talents with star Will Smith.

This appearance was a big stepping stone. However, it was her role as Vicki Groener, a sardonic sidekick to Brooke Shields' character, in the comedy series "Suddenly Susan" that saw Kathy ascend to stardom.

Vicki's character provided a perfect outlet for Kathy's comedic style. She delivered biting commentary and funny insights that resonated with audiences.

Her performance on the show was widely acclaimed and remains one of her most recognizable roles. This period set the stage for Kathy's later successes. It also made her a prominent figure in entertainment.

Kathy Griffin's Eye Surgery: A Harrowing Experience

Kathy has always been open about her experiences with medical procedures. Throughout her career, the Irish-American comedian has had many surgeries. These include liposuction, rhinoplasty, brow lifts, and Botox. However, one medical procedure stands out as especially traumatic for Kathy.

It was her experience with corrective laser eye surgery. In 2003, Kathy decided to undergo Lasik surgery, hoping to improve her vision. Unfortunately, the series of surgeries she endured turned into a nightmare.

The Lasik procedures were performed by Dr. Robert Maloney in Los Angeles. It started as a routine surgery. But, it quickly became five operations meant to fix growing complications.

These errors mounted, leading to Kathy being partly blind in her right eye. The repeated failures and her deteriorating vision left her more shaken with each operation.

The final procedure lasted an excruciating 90 minutes. It required 17 stitches in her eye, which she had to endure for three weeks. Reflecting on this harrowing ordeal, Kathy made it clear: She would never see Dr. Maloney again.

On her website, she warns others about the risks of Lasik surgery and shares her story as a cautionary tale. Despite no longer being in pain, Kathy's vision in her right eye is still severely compromised. She describes her vision as very blurry a condition neither glasses nor contacts can fix it.

Reality TV Success and Co-Hosting "The View"

In 2005, Kathy launched her reality TV show, "My Life on the D-List." It was a tongue-in-cheek series that humorously showed her life on the fringes of Hollywood.

The Bravo network show ran until 2010. It won the comedian two Emmy Awards for Best Reality Program in 2007 and 2008. It also earned her a dedicated following.

In 2015, Kathy expanded her television presence by co-hosting "The View." There, she shared the stage with Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and other hosts, bringing her unique comedic perspective to daytime television.

Guinness World Record and Hosting the Daytime Emmy Awards

Kathy's prolific career in stand-up comedy was recognized in 2013 when she set a Guinness World Record for the most stand-up comedy specials by a comedian.

Kathy expressed her joy, saying, "Look folks, I hope you laugh a lot at this special. I had a blast making it and I'm truly honored to have been inducted. "A year later, Kathy was chosen to host the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The event was another feather in her cap.

Kathy humorously remarked, "I am beyond thrilled to be hosting what I'm told is the most important television event of the year. My only regret is knowing that this epic evening will distract millions of viewers from enjoying this year's World Cup."

Personal Losses: The Death of Her Sister and Mother

On September 16, 2017, Kathy shared the heartbreaking news of her sister Joyce's passing after a battle with cancer. Kathy honored her sister with a touching Instagram post.

"My sister Joyce passed away peacefully last night," the caption read in part. Two months before her sister died, the actress showed unity with her sister. She did this by shaving all her hair off. This moving gesture touched the public.

Tragically, Kathy faced another deep loss. Her mother, Maggie Griffin, died on March 18, 2020. Kathy also turned to social media to share the heartbreaking news.

"My Mom, the one and only, Maggie Griffin, passed away today. I am gutted. My best friend. I'm shaking. I won't ever be prepared. I'm so grateful you guys got to be part of her life," the actress tweeted.

Kathy's Battle with Cancer

In a sad revelation, Kathy disclosed in 2021 that she had lung cancer despite never smoking. She underwent surgery to remove her left lung and remained optimistic throughout her treatment.

Celebrating her 61st birthday just a month later, Kathy shared a playful video of herself dancing topless on Instagram with the caption, "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, BABY! 61 AND SEXXXXY 🎂."

Nearly two years later, Kathy reflected on her cancer journey. She said, "The really crazy thing is that when I had cancer, I had no symptoms." On April 3, 2023, Kathy posted a somber photo from a hospital bed, revealing she had spent Easter undergoing an MRI, although the specific health concern was not disclosed.

Kathy's Divorce and the Ongoing Legal Battle

In 2011, Kathy began dating Randy Bick, and the couple married in January 2020 after a brief split in 2018. However, their marriage did not last, as Kathy filed for divorce in December 2023.

The actress cited "irreconcilable differences" as the cause of the split. She also asked for an end to spousal support for both of them. However, despite a prenup, Randy's unknown whereabouts complicated the divorce.

Kathy reportedly even went as far as hiring a private investigator to locate him, but her efforts were unsuccessful. Since then, Randy has requested spousal support and attorney's fees. This has further complicated the legal proceedings.

Kathy Griffin's Changing Appearance and Fans' Reactions

Since her eye surgery, Kathy has been open about undergoing various beauty treatments. In August 2023, she shared a light-hearted video documenting her experience with eyebrow microblading and lip tattooing.

The clip humorously captured her loved ones' reactions to her temporarily swollen and inflamed lips, a side effect of the procedures. While Kathy's candidness about her beauty regimen has been appreciated by many, it has also sparked some concern among her followers.

One commenter noted, "Kathy doesn't look well. I hope she is ok." However, her supporters quickly came to her defense, with one stating, "Just natural aging, I think," and another affirming, "You are absolutely amazing."

Kathy's journey since her failed eye surgery in 2003 has been a testament to her resilience and adaptability. The surgery was just the beginning of a series of personal and professional transformations.

The actress has navigated numerous challenges. However, despite the setbacks, Kathy Griffin continues to reinvent herself, inspiring her fans with her unwavering strength and candidness.